The Global Care Leavers’ Community is a platform facilitating global exchange among care-experienced young adults, born from a shared vision of equity, inclusion, and collective empowerment.
Act as a podium to aspire and connect care leavers and care leaver networks globally, facilitating peer support, encouraging active discussions, and amplifying the collective voice for social inclusion and secure futures.
A world where every care-experienced young person has access to community, support, and the opportunity to shape the systems that affect their lives — regardless of where they are in the world.
Community, dignity, inclusion, and care-leaver leadership. We believe those with lived experience of care must drive the conversation, design the solutions, and lead the change.
The GCLC emerged from this landmark gathering, responding directly to care leavers' expressed need for collective advocacy and global support.
Over 100 young people from 25+ countries collaborated to create a comprehensive policy declaration across eleven critical domains.
The community grew with a landmark second convention and inaugural festival celebrating resilience, community, and shared experience.
Regular virtual gatherings continue to connect care-experienced individuals across borders for peer support and discussion.
The Global Care Leavers’ Community emerged from the first International Care Leavers Convention in 2020 as a functional response to what care leavers themselves clearly expressed: the need for collective advocacy and ongoing support.
What began as a single gathering evolved into a sustained global movement — connecting care-experienced young adults across continents, bridging language and cultural differences through shared experience.
Today, GCLC operates through three core pillars: knowledge building, network extension, and focused advocacy — each rooted in the lived experiences and leadership of care leavers themselves.
Eight dedicated organisations form the backbone of the Global Care Leavers’ Community Working Group, each bringing unique regional expertise and commitment.
Delhi, India
Sri Lanka
Latin America
Zimbabwe
Netherlands
International
India
Germany
Have questions about GCLC or want to learn more about becoming part of our global community?